Greyfriars kirkyard

**McClef** · 21st August 07, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by Archangel

Actually, I was hoping for a pic of the wee dug (now you've got me doing it). I can remember walking past here almost daily but I can't remember why. Before we get the smart comments, I would have been about 6 years old at the time.

Well here are some to satisfy you of the wee dug!

Me with the dug last October (ignore the slipped belt!):

Closer view of the dug:

The dug's grave in February this year:

There is a painting of the dug in the Kirk that looks entirely different to the statue but I only have a fridge magnet - will try to take a piccie of it.

**McClef** · 21st August 07, 12:23 PM

Ok here we are:

All my Bobby fridge magnets:

Closer view of the Greyfriars painting magnet:

As you can see - nothing like the statue!

**CelticRanger66** · 21st August 07, 12:25 PM

Great pictures and very interesting photo tour!!!

**pdcorlis** · 21st August 07, 12:27 PM

A big thank you from one Phil to another for the history lesson and the photos!

**Sean_the_Kilted** · 21st August 07, 01:08 PM

I was there in 2006 and enjoyed it a lot. Didn't know anything about the dog before coming there. I just like old graveyards for the sake of history and the interesting monuments. Its interesting to see the egos and individuality of people long after they are dead through their choice of gravestones/monuments. The old Glasgow Graveyard near the Cathedral in Glasgow is really good for those of you who like this sorta thing.

**Colin** · 21st August 07, 02:38 PM

It was certainly an interesting kirkyard. We visited in 1999 when in Edinburgh. If I recall correctly, the statue is actually just outside of the cemetary by the road is it not? I had forgotten the story of Greyfriars bobby until that time. Great Photos Phil. I thought I had heard that they were doing another greyfriars bobby http://www.bobbythedog.co.uk/ it looks pretty cheesy....

For those that are unaware of Burke& Hare (mentioned by Phil) here is a little bit of info. It's a creepy story to hear while walking in the old town of Edinburgh. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burke_and_Hare

**Archangel** · 21st August 07, 05:31 PM

Thanks for the pics. Shiny, shinier than I remember. (Hmm, that sounded like a browncoat statement.)

I'll have to ask my mum why we walked past there so much.

**Phil** · 22nd August 07, 02:35 AM

Great photos of Greyfriars Bobby, McClef. I wasn't sure whether to include any as the statue is usually surrounded by tourists and I don't know if any realise the doggie is buried in the churchyard nearby.
If anyone has read the inscription on the memorial remember that the "s" was written as an "f" in those days. Did you see how many Covenanters were executed? And that wasn't including the ones killed in battles etc. Also the Marquis of Argyle was beheaded so the Campbells were obviously supporters. It was at this time, and for reasons obvious from the memorial, that many left Scotland for Ireland to escape religious persecution and then on to the then colonies for the same reason.

**McClef** · 22nd August 07, 05:42 AM

I didn't know that Bobby was buried in the kirkyaird until October last year when I actually visited it for the first time Phil so what hope have the tourists?

I expect the statue is very well visited at present with the Festival on but it's usually been quiet and easy to access when I have been over the years.

Yef it waf common to write an s like that in thofe dayf!

I didn't spend much time on the Covenanters apart from take a picture of their "imprisoned" graves. Maybe I will next visit in October.

**MacWage** · 22nd August 07, 06:12 AM

Originally Posted by Phil

Great photos of Greyfriars Bobby, McClef. I wasn't sure whether to include any as the statue is usually surrounded by tourists and I don't know if any realise the doggie is buried in the churchyard nearby.
If anyone has read the inscription on the memorial remember that the "s" was written as an "f" in those days. Did you see how many Covenanters were executed? And that wasn't including the ones killed in battles etc. Also the Marquis of Argyle was beheaded so the Campbells were obviously supporters. It was at this time, and for reasons obvious from the memorial, that many left Scotland for Ireland to escape religious persecution and then on to the then colonies for the same reason.

Archibald Campbell seemed to have a genuine religious "conversion"/experience and was an ARDENT covenanter. Of interest is that, while Argyle fought AGAINST the Royalists under Montrose, it was ARGYLE that CROWNED Charles II (shortly following the execution of Charles I in England. A few years later, Charles II thanked Argyle by a beheading. Actually, it was AFTER the restoration, when Argyle traveled to visit Charles to air "grievances" concerning revenge tactics being used by the former Royalists against the Covenanters following the restoration of Charles (which had been done LARGELY at the EFFORTS of the COVENANTERS). The Covenanters were in trouble. It developed into a period known as the "Killing Times," when many were executed.
The Covenanters were NOT against a monarchy or even a Stewart/Stuart monarchy, as long as it was a Covenanted one. They wanted the monarch to sign a National Covenant (a sort of religious-political constitution, which spelled out right, obligations, and limitations of power within the state and between the State and the Church, to over-simplify matters).

So, the complexity of alliances, loyalties, religion, and combat is glimpsed. We like to say "so-ans-so" hated and fought so-and-so," though they may have fought TOGETHER almost half the time too.

Many times I have wondered about the INTERNAL discussions among the remaining Covenanters during the Jacobite Rebellions, which (unfortunately) have NOT been saved.